PM Modi holds meeting with CMs of 7 states/UTs worst-hit by COVID-19

Last updated on February 15th, 2023 at 01:15 pm

With the last phase (Unlock 4) of post-pandemic reopening of the economy coming to an end on September 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the chief ministers of seven states that are worst affected by COVID-19. On Wednesday, chief ministers of Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Punjab attended the meeting, noting that these seven states are accounting for the majority (more than 60 percent) of the country’s total COVID-19 caseload.

“They account for 65.5% of the total confirmed cases and 77% of the total deaths. Along with the other five states, Punjab and Delhi have reported an increase in the number of cases being reported recently. Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi are reporting high mortality with more than 2.0% Case Fatality Rate (CFR). Other than Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, their positivity rate is observed to be above the national average of 8.52%,’’ a government release said.

Through the high-level virtual meeting, PM Modi reviewed the status of the efforts taken by the government to contain the spread of virus along with future preparedness and management of COVID-19 in the states and union territories.

As per media reports, the Centre has planned to send its multi-disciplinary teams to these states to help the governments to effectively manage the crisis from virus containment to surveillance and testing. The government release also stated that these teams will guide the local authorities in effectively managing various challenges in the process including timely diagnosis and follow-up checks. As of now, Delhi’s COVID-19 situation is being constantly monitored by a Centre-Delhi government joint team.

Since the imposition of nationwide lockdown in March, the Prime Minister has been holding regular meetings with the CMs and officials of the states and union territories to review the status of pandemic management in the country. Notably, the last meeting took place on August 11 with the chief ministers of the 10 states which were worst-affected by the health crisis.

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Reportedly, the union government has been ensuring all possible efforts to cooperate with the states and union territories in their endeavours to contain the spread of the virus. From healthcare and medical facilities to financial stimulus, the Centre is assisting the state governments in its full capacity. Recently, the Union Health Ministry and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, jointly provided ICU teleconsultation to state governments to boost the clinical management capacity of doctors posted in ICU.